Maori O breast upon which I lay my head. O strong stable Mother to whom I turn for strength. O foundation upon which I build my house. O inspiration. O my life's significance. My driving force. O fuel for my flame. O my people. My Maori people. Comforter in hours of darkness. Haven to which I retreat. It seems that rays come from your person. A glow of light shines from you. You exude warmth and kindness. Understanding and generosity. Laughter and enjoyment. Yours is an odour warm and earthy. I move in the radius of your warmth. And immediately I am caught up in it. Laved by it. I feel its force working on me like a balm. Already the strains and tensions fall away. Already I feel released. Already my heart is lighter.

Pakeha Still, in less obvious ways (but just as significant) I see the hand that once snatched greedily the land from my people. Still, but more subtly, I see the greed that all but annihilated my people. Still, I see the ignorance that caused so much bloodshed and grief. Still, I see the hand that stayed itself when it could have been more harsh, When having them at its mercy spared my people. And I remember we were less tolerant with another race Indigenous to this land, When in our turn we raided these shores, And the boot was on the other foot. Rowley Habib